[UPDATED] Istana Negara shuts gates as Malay rulers’ meet gets under way

KUALA LUMPUR – The heads of royal households are making their way to Istana Negara ahead of a highly anticipated Conference of Rulers meeting this afternoon.

Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah will chair the meet, which is scheduled for 2.30pm.

Pahang Regent Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah was the first to arrive in a heavily escorted motorcade at 11.03am, entering the palace compound through the main gate.

Johor’s Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar arrived at 12.02pm.

It is understood that several high-ranking government officials have also been summoned to the palace to have an audience with the Agong, to provide the latest updates on matters including health, security, politics and the economy.

These figures include Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Chief of the Defence Forces Tan Sri Affendi Buang, Health Director-General Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah, Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohammad Zuki Ali and Attorney-General Tan Sri Idrus Harun.

Acryl Sani arrived at the main entrance at 1.43pm, followed by Affendi at 1.56pm.

Zuki and the Perlis royal entourage, too, have arrived.

Kedah’s Sultan Al Aminul Karim Sultan Sallehuddin Almarhum Sultan Badlishah entered the palace complex at 2.08pm.

Sultan Mizan Zainal Abidin of Terengganu arrived at 2.19pm, while Selangor’s Sultan Sharafuddin Idris Shah arrived a minute after.

Perak’s Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah came at 2.33pm.

The palace closed its gates at 2.55pm, signalling that the rulers’ meeting has likely begun.

However, Yang di-Pertuan Besar of Negri Sembilan Tuanku Muhriz Almarhum Tuanku Munawir then arrived at 3.41pm.

Media personnel at the scene did not see the Kelantan sultan entering the compound. It is uncertain if he will join the meet virtually.

In a statement yesterday, Istana Negara said the king will raise at the Malay rulers’ meeting the issues brought up to him by political leaders and Special Independent Emergency Committee chairman Tun Arifin Zakaria over the past week in a series of royal audiences.

Among the matters expected to be discussed are the state of emergency, and the country’s Covid-19 and economic crises. – The Vibes, June 16, 2021